21st January, 2025, Colombo — Centrum Marine Consultancy (Pvt) Ltd., a leader in maritime HR and a strong advocate for gender diversity, recently launched the ‘She Can Sail the Seas’ initiative, a transformative program aimed at creating new opportunities for women in Sri Lanka’s maritime industry. This innovative endeavor seeks to dismantle long-standing gender barriers in a traditionally male-dominated sector.
The launch event was graced by prominent figures, including His Excellency Dr. Felix Neumann, Ambassador of the German Embassy in Colombo; Colonel Amanda Jonston, Defense Advisor at the High Commission of Australia; and Lieutenant Commander Jessica De Mont, Naval Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Colombo. ‘She Can Sail the Seas’ initiative is co-sponsored by Peter Döhle Schiffahrts-KG, Hamburg, a global leader in shipping, with CINEC Maritime Campus serving as the technical partner.
The inaugural program, supported by an investment of USD 110,000, sponsors 15 female cadets, including seven deck cadets and eight engineering cadets. These young women are set to embark on careers at sea, making history as Sri Lanka’s first batch of female navigation cadets to set sail together in January 2025. Engineering cadets will follow suit, beginning their training in April 2025.
The program has earned widespread support from esteemed organizations, including the U.S. Embassy in Colombo, the High Commission of Australia, the German Embassy, the Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents, and WISTA Sri Lanka. Their collective endorsement highlights the importance of fostering gender equality and empowering women in the maritime industry.
Kalinga De Silva, Managing Director of Centrum Marine Consultancy, stated, “This is a pivotal moment for the maritime industry in Sri Lanka. We are proud to lead the way in empowering women to pursue careers at sea. Our mission is to create a lasting impact, paving the way for future generations of female seafarers and demonstrating that the seas are open to all who dare to sail them.”
Centrum Marine Consultancy’s vision extends beyond this inaugural group. With plans to sponsor up to 150 female cadets in the coming years, the company aims to challenge societal norms and inspire families to support their daughters in pursuing maritime careers.
The initiative’s significance goes beyond numbers, symbolizing a critical step toward inclusivity and diversity within the maritime sector. It serves as a beacon of hope, encouraging young women to consider careers at sea while reshaping societal perceptions about women’s roles in this field.
